Ice skating aid

ABSTRACT

A skating aid formed by bending two base sections to form a runner and a vertical support section. The vertical support sections are joined to fix the runners apart and generally coextensive. A handle is attached to the vertical support section and can be formed integrally therewith. Wheels can be attached to the runners. The aid is useful in training persons to ice skate or roller skate.

United States Patent Rothe [54] ICE SKATING AID [72] Inventor: Barbara J. Rothe, Box 38, 53 Mills Terrace, Nahant, Mass. 01908 [22] Filed: Aug. 17, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 64,375

[52] US. Cl. ..272/70.3, 280/8704 R [51] Int. Cl ..A63c 3/04 [58] Field of Search....272/70.3; 280/8704, 87.04 A,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,900,008 8/ 1959 Seger ..272/70.3

1451 Oct. 3, 1972 1,253,314 1/1918 Warner ..272/70.3

Primary ELtaminer-Benjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-Milton 1... Smith AttorneyKenway, Jenney & Hildreth ABSTRACT A skating aid formed by bending; two base sections to form a runner and a vertical support section. The vertical support sections are joined to fix the runners apart and generally coextensive. A handle is attached to the vertical support section and can be formed in-- tegrally therewith. Wheels can be attached to the runners. The aid is useful in training persons to ice skate or roller skate.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ales-15609 PATENTEDma m2 FIG. 2

- FIG. I

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FIG. 3

INVENTOR BARBARA ROTHE NEYS ICE SKATING AID This invention relates to a training aid for novice skaters, particularly ice skaters.

In order to learn to skate, it is necessary that the individual acquire a sense of balance learned only through experience on skates. The learning period needed to acquire this sense of balance depends upon the individual and usually is marked by frequent falling to the ice or otherwise hard surface resulting in cuts and bruises and possible serious injury.

A high incidence of injury also occurs with those persons who previously have learned to skate but because of age or physical infirmity are not able to maintain the proper sense of balance required. These persons either must forego skating and therefore a source of enjoyment or can continue to skate while accepting a risk of injury.

It would be desirable to provide a means for reducing the risk of injury to skaters either during the training period or for skaters with a physical infirmity.

The present invention provides a training aid for skaters suitable for use on ice or on any other hard surface suitable for roller skating. The training aid comprises two base sections, each bent to form a runner and a vertical support section. The vertical support sections are joined above the forward end of the runners to fix the runners apart and generally coextensive. A handle is attached to or formed integrally with the vertical support. When used as a roller skating aid,- each runner is attached to a bracket having two wheels attached thereto.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a two piece ice skating aid.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a four piece ice skating aid.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the roller skating aid having a platform optionally attached.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 1, the ice skating aid 1 comprises two sections 2 and 3 each bent to form a runner 4, a vertical support section 5 and a handle 6. The sections 2 and 3 are joined at vertical support sections 5. The runners 4 are spaced apart to permit a skater to stand therebetween and grasp the handle sections 6. The total length of each section 2 or 3 and the height of the handle 6 above the ground is adjusted according to the height of the person using the skating aid. The runners 4 and handles 6 can be provided with protective covers 8 and 9 respectively. It is preferred that the sections 2 and 3 be formed from metal tubes so that the resultant aid can be maneuvered easily.

Referring to FIG. 2, ice skating aid 10 comprises two base sections 1 l and two handle sections 12. Each base section 11 comprises a runner 13 the vertical sections 15 and a vertical support section 14, which are joined to form a vertical support. The sections 15 and 14 are flattened at their mating surfaces and are joined by screws 16. The sections 14 and 15 have a plurality of holes so that the handles 12 are vertically adjustable.

Referring to FIG. 3, the roller skating aid 20 comprises two brackets 21 have wheels 22 attached thereto and means to house and support runners 23. The runners 23 extend through the brackets 21 and form part of base sections 24. Base sections 24 are bent toward each other above the runners 23 and are oined to form vertical support 25. Handle 26 is joined at vertical support 25 by any suitable means. Thus, the vertical support sections 25 can be hollow to house extensions from handle 26 and the resulting handle and tubular sections 24 can be joined by screws. If desired, the roller skating aid can be modified by attaching a platform 27 to the brackets 21 for use as a scooter.

Referring to FIG. 4, the bracket 21 is provided with a slot 28 into which the runner 23 fits. The runner 23 is held in place by means of plate 29 that can extend all or only a portion of the length of the bracket 21.

The present invention provides a skating aid of simple design that is easily maneuverable yet sufficiently strong to support the average person during skating. The ice skating aid can be made from two or three parts, or more, and can be made from any material having sufficient strength characteristics such as tubular metal, plastic or wood.

I claim:

1. A skating aid consisting of two base sections each bent to form a runner, a support section generally perpendicular to said runner and a section joining said runner and support section, each support section being positioned directly adjacent the other support section and the support sections being joined to fix the runners apart and generally coextensive and a handle attached to the support section above and extending in the same direction as the runners.

2. The skating aid of claim 1 wherein the handle is integrally formed with the base sections, said handle being formed by bending an extension from each support section.

3. A skating aid comprising the aid of claim 1 with brackets attached to each runner and wheels attached to the brackets.

4. A skating aid comprising the aid of claim 2 with brackets attached to each runner and wheels attached to the brackets. 

1. A skating aid consisting of two base sections each bent to form a runner, a support section generally perpendicular to said runner and a section joining said runner and support section, each support section being positioned directly adjacent the other support section and the support sections being joined to fix the runners apart and generally coextensive and a handle attached to the support section above and extending in the same direction as the runners.
 2. The skating aid of claim 1 wherein the handle is integrally formed with the base sections, said handle being formed by bending an extension from each support section.
 3. A skating aid comprising the aid of claim 1 with brackets attached to each runner and wheels attached to the brackets.
 4. A skating aid comprising the aid of claim 2 with brackets attached to each runner and wheels attached to the brackets. 